News tidbits from the area
February 6, 2005
Libby couple wins jackpot
News sources report that last week a Libby couple, DuWayne and Caroline Hamann, has claimed a $281,503 Montana Wild Card jackpot from the Christmas Day drawing. DuWayne Hamann is retired and Caroline Hamann works for the U.S. Forest Service.
Gallatin NF approves Bridger Bowl ski area expansion
The Bridger Bowl ski area recently received approval from the Gallatin National Forests to expand the ski facility by more than 600 acres within the next four to five years. A total of six new lifts and 16 new runs could be added. The skier capacity right now is 3,200 skiers. With the expansion, the ski area could handle approximately twice that number. Clearing of the new terrain at Bridger Bowl could begin as soon as the spring of 2006.
Lack of snow puts winter sports on hold
Turner Ski area is still closed until further notice. The cross-country ski trails aren’t being groomed. And the Libby SnoKats changed their Fun Run that was supposed to take place February 5th into a treasure Hunt, raffle and auction instead. February and March typically bring wetter weather patterns that, combined with enough cold air, could bring us more snow to give Montana another shot at winter. The mountain watersheds could use the snow pack for summer run-off water reserves, and those who like to play in the snow would like to get some more skiing and snowmobiling in. According to mountain weather stations and SnoTels, snow depth in the the mountains around Libby have between 1-2 feet of snow. As of February 5th, the basin-wide percent of average for the Kootenai River drainage is 85% for total precipitation, and 64% snow-water equivalent. This is actually the best percentage for any watershed in the state right now. The Flathead River basin is at 81%, Upper Clark Fork River basin is 61%, Bitterroot is 59%. Do a snow dance!
STOKR Bike Ride May 7-8
The Annual Scenic Tour of the Kootenai River (STOKR) bike ride takes place Saturday and Sunday, May 7-8, 2005. Registration forms have been mailed out to people who participated in previous years. If you didn’t get yours, or are new to the event, a printable PDF form is available to download online. Registration deadline for the event is April 23rd. Organizers are offering a new colorful jersey for riders this year. Deadline to register to receive a jersey is March 11th. We strongly urge anyone who wishes to ride in this year’s STOKR sign up ASAP. Last year the STOKR sign-up limit filled up by April 15th. More STOKR info
Libby Logger Days date set for June 23-25
Organizers have set the date for the 2005 Libby Logger Days for Thursday, June 23, through Saturday, June 25th. No schedule of activities for this year’s event has yet been announced
Spring Break-up Road Restrictions Posted for Kootenai NF
Due to warm weather, the Kootenai National Forest has posted spring breakup road restrictions on the following roads as of Friday, February 4th. Permits are required for vehicles over 10,000 lbs. on posted national forest roads.
D1/D3 Eureka/Fortine: Wolf Fortine Rd. 36 posted to 10,000. Effective 02/01/05.
D5 Libby: County has posted McGinnis Meadows.
D4/D7 Troy/Trout Creek:
• All county roads are posted in the Troy area.
• Upper Yaak Rd. 92 posted to 10,000 lbs. Effective 02/02/05
• Pipe Cr. So. Fk. Yaak Rd. 68 posted to 10,000 lbs. Effective 02/02/05
• Check with Sanders County for road restrictions in the Trout Cr. area.
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